6 DIY Home Projects That Add Value to Your Home

Looking to add value to home before putting it on the market for sale? The good news is that not every home improvement project needs to require an immense investment of money, time, and effort to add value to your home sale.

Instead of planning a large-scale remodel, homeowners have plenty of do-it-yourself renovation options that generate tangible value to their home sales. In 2019, 36% of homeowners pursuing renovation projects did the work completely themselves, whereas 12% of homeowners contributed some DIY effort, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2019 Remodeling Impact Report.

When it comes to light cosmetic adjustments and simple repairs, homeowners can confidently pursue them to add value to a home before selling. Add these seven projects to your list of pre-sale preparations to increase your home’s market value.

#1. Deep Clean and Declutter Your Home

Performing a deep clean on your home is one of the most effective ways to increase the value of your home before placing it on the market. This should be the first step for any seller as they begin preparing to create their home’s listing. Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing your home is a basic for boosting its marketability and appeal.

Remove any unnecessary clutter to begin clearing out your items from the home, which acts as a precursor to the official move-out. This task makes it easier for sellers when it comes time to empty the home of their belongings. It’s a good idea to clear out personal items and valuables, such as family photos and heirloom items, while decluttering your home.

#2. Improve the Landscaping

Your home’s curb appeal is defined by its landscape. Spending some time cleaning up the exterior of your home will prepare it to welcome prospective buyers. Trim any overgrown greenery, remove any large branches, remove weeds, and cut the grass. Pressure clean the exterior of your home to remove any surface stains, which is an easier alternative to repainting the entire property. Walk around your home and visually inspect for any areas that need cleaned or lightly repaired, such as chipped paint on the side of your home or any cracks in the sidewalk.

To add value to home sale efforts, apply a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of the front door, put down a new welcome mat, and place a potted plant by the front door.

#3. Fix Any Window Leaks

If there are gaps between your windows, your home is exposed to the elements. Besides increasing the instance for water damage, window leaks are also spilling your air conditioning and heating into the outside. This wastes money as it costs more energy to maintain a solid temperature in your home.

Spending the time to fill in any window leaks or even replacing some windows can help your home score better on the inspection, which can be an attractive point for buyers.

#4. Paint the Interiors

Besides covering any scuff marks and nail holes in the walls, painting the interiors gives your home a fresh and clean feeling that buyers will appreciate.

Choose a light-colored paint, such as off-white, eggshell, or cream. The added bonus here is that light-colored paints increase the visual space of your home, making your property appear larger and more inviting. Light-colored interiors also provide a plain background, making it easier for buyers to imagine their own items and furniture placed in your home.

#5. Refinish Your Cabinets

Updating your cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom with brand new finishes can be an easy DIY alternative to renovating these high-impact areas of your home. Staining, painting, or refinishing the cabinets will enliven the kitchen and bathroom spaces with a fresh aesthetic. Choosing a dark color will make it easier to keep them clean, establishing a more functional outcome for future occupants.

#6. Update Your Home’s Appliances

If you prefer shopping to DIY repairs, updating your appliances can significantly add value to home.

Replacing outdated and used appliances with brand new state-of-the-art editions is a key marketing point that can be leveraged in your listing. When browsing for new appliances, choose eco-friendly options that are certified by an energy-efficiency rating system, such as Energy Star. Since these tools consume less energy, buyers gain access to the benefit of reduced utility bills.

Work With a Great Agent to Add Value to Home

Keep these examples of value-boosting DIY projects when you’re preparing your home for sale. If you’re ready to start moving forward with your sale, you need the perfect listing agent to guide you through the process. Click here to get connected with your best real estate agent.